My journey from a technical engineer and manager to a Technical Program Manager (TPM) has been transformative, extending beyond professional growth into profound life lessons. The principles of Technical Program Management, honed through years of experience, proved invaluable in navigating a challenging real-world situation, highlighting the versatility and impact of this career path. Before delving into my personal experience, let’s first understand what Technical Program Management entails and how a Technical Program Manager Career Path unfolds.
Understanding the Technical Program Manager Role
Technical Program Management is a specialized discipline focused on the orchestration of complex technical projects and programs. Technical Program Managers (TPMs) are pivotal in bridging the gap between product vision and engineering execution. They are responsible for the comprehensive lifecycle of product requirements, from initial planning and scoping to meticulous execution and ongoing monitoring. These requirements are typically defined in collaboration with Product Managers.
TPMs operate at the heart of cross-functional teams, collaborating closely with Product Managers to define the ‘what’, Engineering Managers and Team Technical Leads to determine the ‘how’, and Dev & Support engineers to ensure seamless implementation. Their purview also extends to engaging with Marketing and Finance teams to align on go-to-market strategies and financial implications. A TPM’s role is multifaceted, encompassing:
- Timeline Management: Building and meticulously maintaining engineering delivery timelines to ensure projects stay on track.
- Dependency Management: Identifying, defining, and streamlining cross-functional dependencies to prevent bottlenecks and ensure smooth workflow.
- Issue Resolution: Proactively unblocking engineering teams by resolving impediments and mitigating risks.
- Efficiency Enhancement: Continuously seeking opportunities to increase the efficiency and velocity of project and program execution.
- Program Health Monitoring: Taking ownership of the overall health and status of a program, driving the ‘when’ of delivery, and collaborating with Engineering and Product stakeholders on the ‘how’ and ‘who’.
To excel as a TPM and advance along a technical program manager career path, certain key skills are indispensable:
- Technical Acumen and Organization: A strong technical foundation is crucial, enabling TPMs to understand technical implementations and engage in informed trade-off discussions with Product and Engineering teams. Exceptional organizational skills are equally vital for managing complex programs.
- Prioritization and Problem-Solving: TPMs must be adept at handling competing priorities, resolving ambiguities, and delivering complex projects on time and within budget, often under pressure.
- Communication and Collaboration: Strong communication skills are paramount for effective stakeholder management. Furthermore, team-building, leadership, conflict-resolution, and collaborative skills are essential for fostering productive working relationships and driving team success.
Career Growth and Pivotal Moments in a TPM Journey
My technical program manager career path has been enriched by countless interactions with colleagues who have shaped my professional approach. Every encounter, whether positive or challenging, has served as a valuable learning experience, illustrating best practices and pitfalls to avoid. Among the most significant takeaways from my career is the privilege of collaborating with exceptional individuals dedicated to making a positive impact through their work.
One such influential figure in my journey is Rita Jones (linkedIn profile available in original article). Our paths crossed approximately 15 years ago, and she exemplified the ideal colleague – always welcoming, compassionate, and genuinely invested in making everyone’s day better. Our professional relationship evolved into a lasting friendship between our families. Despite our diverging career trajectories, we maintained contact, often meeting at local restaurants or celebrating birthdays together.
Life, however, often presents unexpected challenges. Rita faced significant adversity, including the heartbreaking loss of her husband to a severe illness while navigating single motherhood with a young child. Despite these personal hardships, Rita continued to demonstrate resilience and grace.
Then, in August 2021, a noticeable silence in Rita’s social media updates triggered my “TPM instincts.” In the world of program management, a lack of updates can often signal underlying issues. A phone call went unanswered, prompting my wife and I to visit her. It was then that we learned of Rita’s Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer diagnosis. The news was devastating, especially given Rita’s inherent kindness and the magnitude of the challenge she faced while still working and caring for her son.
Navigating Complexity and Embracing Change: TPM Skills in Action
Rita confronted her diagnosis with remarkable hope and determination, focused on securing a stable future for her son. The complexities of her situation were overwhelming, yet she exhibited unwavering faith, resilience, and a fierce will to fight. When we offered our support, Rita initially hesitated to articulate her needs. However, we insisted, assuring her of our commitment to mobilize resources, both practical and financial.
This initial offer of help opened the door for Rita to express her needs. The first request was simple: caring for her beagle. This small act of support snowballed into a series of increasingly critical needs, resembling a project backlog in TPM terminology. The immediate tactical priorities included childcare logistics – school pickups and drop-offs, medical appointments, playdates, and overnight stays – while Rita underwent cancer treatments.
As Rita’s health declined, the scope of support broadened to encompass short-term caregiver arrangements. With no immediate family nearby and limited access to her finances, financial assistance became crucial. This led to the creation of a GoFundMe campaign (link in original article) to appeal to her network of friends, school community, and church members for support. The response was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the deep impact Rita had on those around her.
Simultaneously, a parallel effort commenced to facilitate the travel of Rita’s sister from Indonesia to the US to provide family support. This involved navigating complex immigration procedures, coordinating with doctors for medical documentation, securing pastoral letters of support, communicating with the US Consulate in Jakarta, and preparing for international travel.
As Rita’s condition worsened, and with no family member present to make critical medical decisions, her sister granted me temporary custody of her son and temporary power of attorney to manage urgent hospital, school, and household matters. Despite the numerous obstacles, the collective support from Rita’s network – her “Angels” support group, school families, church friends, work colleagues, and neighbors – proved instrumental in overcoming each challenge. While many offered assistance, the need for a central coordinator, someone to “connect the dots,” take ownership, and develop a cohesive plan became evident. Leveraging my TPM skillset, I stepped into this coordinating role.
As Rita transitioned to intensive care, her son received consistent support for his schooling and after-school care. The visa application for her sister was successful, enabling her to enter the US and assume family responsibilities. While immediate needs were addressed, long-term challenges remained. To prevent Rita’s son from potentially entering foster care, legal guardianship proceedings were initiated to grant guardianship to her aunt. This involved securing legal counsel and navigating court appearances. Accessing critical financial assets, including bank accounts and retirement funds, also became a priority.
Tragically, Rita’s condition deteriorated, leading to hospice care. On November 16, 2021, Rita passed away. Amidst the profound grief, practical responsibilities persisted. Funeral arrangements, memorial planning, and providing mental health support for Rita’s 10-year-old son became immediate priorities. Furthermore, updating the Family Trust, consolidating assets, and managing the disposition of physical assets required ongoing coordination with estate planners, attorneys, bankers, realtors, tax advisors, and government agencies.
Transformation and Resolution: A TPM’s Impact Beyond the Workplace
Throughout this challenging period, Rita’s sister demonstrated extraordinary strength, navigating her grief while simultaneously caring for her nephew and managing complex legal and financial matters. Applying my TPM approach, I focused on planning and prioritizing tasks, creating a phased 30-60-90 day plan to address immediate and longer-term needs. Rita’s sister transitioned from homemaker in a new country to “super-mom,” managing all aspects of home life, childcare, and emotional support. Despite not having a driver’s license, she utilized friend support, ride-sharing services, and public transport to accomplish everything required. Together, we navigated bureaucratic hurdles with various agencies to ensure all necessary paperwork was completed, facilitating her ultimate goal of returning to Indonesia with her nephew to begin a new chapter.
On June 9, 2022, Rita’s sister and nephew departed from SFO, returning to Indonesia to reunite with family and embark on a new life.
For me, this experience was profoundly life-altering, reinforcing my faith and purpose – to serve others and make a positive impact. It underscored the essence of true compassion, as described in religious texts, to care for those in need. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to apply my skills to make a difference in someone’s life. Leveraging my organizational, technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills, I focused on the desired outcome: reuniting a child with his family. Recognizing potential risks early on and harnessing the power of community support networks, we achieved a successful resolution. Ultimately, this experience mirrored a TPM’s ideal project outcome: meticulous planning, risk mitigation, timely execution, and achieving the intended result. The greatest reward was witnessing the smile of a 10-year-old boy, surrounded by his loving family – the true definition of “Done.”
Note: Photos & personal information shared after consent by family.
